San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-10-19
OUR SIGHTLYsSUBURBS.
The ClrcumJacent Hills Govern
ment HeIghts-Elegant Resi-
dence Property.

dence Property.
"As the mountains are round about
Jerusalem" so are the hills round about
San Antonio. The city lies In basin,
turned up at the outer edges Ike the
rim OF a saucer, and slightly elevations
overlook the valley on all sides save to
the south, where the San Antonio river
threads Its meandering way towards
the gulf. The rare views that can be
| obtained by an extended drive along the
.crests Of the hills that environ the city
can only be realized by tn Jse who have
made the circuit OF these heights and
taken In the town from the various
vantage grounds so easy Of access in all
directions. Every new point OF obser-
walton presents some new attraction,
some hitherto unknown or unnoted
beauty, some dim obscure OF
hill on far of horizon, or spire
peeping through some lesfy grove No
| two views resemble each other and all
are so charming one becomes puzzled to
decide which Is finest where all are SO
fine.
| Sufficient attention has not been paid
to road construction In this city to rem
drive as delightful as IL might other
wise become, bat 1t may also be that
the view obtained after wheeling over
the rough gravel to any height overlook
Ing the city Is only the more appreciat-
ed on that account.
| Something was said In these columns
not long since OF the beautiful long dis
lance view obtained from the West End
and Comanche Lookout. Not less strik-
ing 10 the short distance view obtained
from the hills on the east and north OF
the city, sweeping round the two sides
| of the valley from Cemetery hill on the
southeast till the crest line dips into the
San Antonio valley on the north. Ii
was only day or two since that LIGHT
representative found himself with few
hours OF leisure, and a willing chariot
| eer, bowling over the divide towards
the Salado. On returning to the heights
overlooking the city on the east drive
WAS taken along the crest OF the bluffs
northward to Government hill. The
improvements made here during the
past two years have added greatly to
the attractions OF the past, and when COM
pleted the military quarter OF San
Antonio will compare favOrsbly with
that OF any post in the country.
Bowling over the smooth macsda IN In
the headquarters quadrangle, one won
ders why our city dads cannot put down
such road work in the streets OF this
|
marin" style OF work so frequently
oussed and discussed on the streets and
In the papers.
Some OF the finest building sites In
this city or its vicinity are found In he
neighbOrhOOd OF government headquar-
tiers, particularly on the heights over
looking the hill and lying towards the
nOrthward. One of these, which was our
particular admiration, was on tract OF
seventy acres stretching along the crest
OF the ridge Immediately north Of the
Government hill and fairly overlooking
II, being some thirty or forty feet higher
than the base OF government tower.
This tract is comparatively narrow
strip, some 300 yards in width, and run
ming from the upper road to River ave-
nue.. The entire crest of this hill facing
south affords uery desirable building 10.
cations. The government quarters lie
distinctly In view, from thirty feet to
almost as many yards below
this ridge. DigDowity hill, Prospect
Hill, West End, Comanche look out, the
head Of the river, breckenridge prop
erty, the north end annex near the car
stables, TObin Hill, the city In the
valley, and the Cable and Andrews
ranches, miles away across the valley,
are all distinctly seen. The elegant solid
stone structure of Major Cunningham
and that Of Banker Patterson lie be-
tween the ridge and the city on lower
ground, and the view is such as to afford
u constant change OF scenery as the eye
roves round the wide horizon. III ever
the LIGHT man sighed for q liberal al
lOwance Of cash il was when he found
that this desirable property was In the
market and at bed rock figures. The
soil is rich, capable OF high degree Of
cultivation, and for strawberries, parks,
gardens and flowers would be just the
thing required. The ridge drops of
suddenly towards the west, 1.-THE San An
tonic river side) where there Is bread
strip OF irrigsble bottom land, upon
which the vegetables and fruits OF this
semi-trOpical climate could be grown
In rich profusion. The place is we'll sup.
piled with water; living well, as also
the pipes OF the waterworks company
: affording water in house and grounds.
1t seemed a real shame to see SO desir.
able q property uDoccupied. A fine
{ dwelling, costing thousands Of dollars
supplied with all modern improvements
baths, etc, going to ruin. AS we me-
andered through the deserted rooms
and the lonesome corroidOTs, passing oIt
onto the broad piazas overlooking this
. lovely valley and Its encamping hills anC
drank in the beauties OF the situation Q
| feeling of disgust with the world grew
into deep being. Here was q place de
signed by nature for the abode Of refine
I ment, given up to destruction because
, Its owner did not appreciate its retire
ment and preferred the hum and hustle
] Of the town, only q mile away. Some
/ OF these days the man who finds thing
? ready made will come along and take II
8 this property, and by spending few
q thousand dollars upon Ii, sell half of |
4 for more than the whole costs and theI
have left one OF the finest properties II
the state.
Returning to town by way OF tn,
t valley, the route was taken acrOs
g the old rock-quarry road. past tn
s Belknap and Tslcott properties and 81
d home in the dusk of a delightful Octo
!. Der day. Let any one spend a wee
leisurly driving around this city an
: patiently examining ITS eligible build
: ing sites, and IL he has any eye for tn
!, picturesque he will come to tn
: conclusion long since reached by tn
E, LIGHT-that for desirable residenc
: property, there lie not another city Il
the south that surpssses the Old Alamo
= city. 1t Is only question of littl
time when this fact will be duly appre
ciated, and year by year these height
will grow populous with the presenc
= of families OF wealth and culture, whiol
= will seek these lovely uplands for homes
and build stately residences upon then
Q that will be an ornament to any land.
Ife C@.Ta yae ~